helejet lear sucks up fuel mat??

the professional · Post by **the professional** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:08 pm

This might be way out there but I heard helijet's lear started up with the fuel mats (the things they put around the tank when fueling) still on? and one got sucked in. I figure I would have seen a post already if it was true.

just checking

bandit1 · Post by **bandit1** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:10 pm

that sucks......literally

privateer · Post by **privateer** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:08 pm

YA i heard that rumor floating around too? Can anyone confirm this???

(ever heard of a walkaround?)

Lommer · Post by **Lommer** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 5:25 pm

Actually, I heard the same rumor recently. The story I heard had the lear just coming out from having the engines overhauled, and that on a runup the AMEs left the protective wing mats on and managed to suck them into not just one but both engines. I considered posting this earlier to ask for verification, I'd really like to know if any of it is true.

boeingboy · Post by **boeingboy** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:17 pm

It was a white neoprene mat.

It was last week, at night, the wind was howling and the rain was dumping down.

Copilot did his walkaround and found a couple of loose screws on #2 inlet. Called maint and went to do his preflight in the cockpit. Maint showed up and buddy tossed his mat on the wing, crawled up, and tightened his screws. Jumped down and ran inside where it's nice and dry. Well the copilot didn't do another walkaround and obviously neither did maint. Paramedics crawled on and #1 started just fine. Spooled #2, and it was going well to untill "THA-WUMP".

Paramedic looks out the window and it turns out that the mat got caught up on the first stage compressor and was getting tossed around. Flames comming from engine and matt getting shredded. As it turns out the mat started shredding and some of it got thrown over the fuse and went down the #1 engine.

$450,000 later they had a couple of guys bring two engines up from Oregon. I heard the test runs of these engines went well on this past weekend.

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:24 pm

Oh boy....

I feel for those guys.... But ALWAYS check after Mtnc has touched the A/C.

STL

bandit1 · Post by **bandit1** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 6:28 pm

Does insurance cover that?

gr8gazu · Post by **gr8gazu** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:28 pm

you bet it does.

JZA · Post by **JZA** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:52 pm

yeah but insurance does not cover the lost revenue which resulted in the aircraft being down for days. That's what? 20, 30, $40,000 perhaps...

gr8gazu · Post by **gr8gazu** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:33 pm

Actually, I have put in for replacement transportation several times over the years. They won't fork over cash on speculation but they will often pay charter invoices to accomplish the flying you have booked.

That being said, using your numbers, you are looking at 5 hrs per day at 1000 an hour profit. 10k for 2 days shouldn't break the bank.

Lurch · Post by **Lurch** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:37 pm

sky's the limit wrote:Oh boy....

I feel for those guys.... But ALWAYS check after Mtnc has touched the A/C.

STL

STL I will add "after anybody touches the aircraft" I have found fuel caps left on top of the wing

I always check chocks, tow bars, fuel caps, dip sticks, tie downs, general over view, every time before I climb into the aircraft before flight.

Lurch

dhc-t2 · Post by **dhc-t2** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:41 pm

"Tha-Wump!" - This sounds very bad

How do you tell that to the insurance Co? Just phone up & go "Tha-wump!" $$ % $$

Then again I am sure insurance companies have heard'em all.